Agenda: Need a website, but don't know where to begin? Thinking that you might have to pay someone to create it for you? Think again! Do it yourself with Wordpress! In this presentation, Charles Crawford, of Crawford and O'Brien, a digital marketing firm that focuses on SEO, web development, and consulting, reveals how to buy a domain name, host it, and build your own Wordpress website in a very short amount of time.

Agenda: Meets every Tuesday to help our business members’ network and grow their businesses. Each member is given the opportunity to give the group information on his or her company, upcoming events and more.

Cost: See website.

Information/registration: www.chandlerchamber.com or 480-963-4571.

BUSINESS-NETWORKING LUNCHEON

When: Noon-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Where: Cantina Laredo, 7361 E. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale.

Agenda: The Airpark of Scottsdale Business Networking International Group hosts the event. Registration required.

Cost: $12 includes lunch.

Information/registration: 602-570-1096.

FRANFOCUS — WORKSHOP FOR ENTREPRENEURS CONSIDERING FRANCHISING THEIR BUSINESS

When: 3:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Where: Jaburg Wilk, 3200 N. Central Ave., Suite 2000, Phoenix.

Agenda: Discusssions will cover what franchising is; what makes their business franchisable; how to add value through branding; how to preepare their opertions for franchising; site build out and commercial leasing issues for franchise systems; and how to position their business to attract great franchisees.

Agenda: Each meeting kicks off with 60-second introductions given by all participants from 7:30 to 8 a.m. From 8 to 9 a.m., 10-minute member presentations are given and, lead-referral lessons and a group discussion are held.

Cost: Free.

Information/registration: www.ahwatukeechamber.com or 480-753-7676.

THE BUSINESS FORUM

When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Where: Glendale Public Library, 5959 W. Brown St.

Agenda: Small-business owners meet and network. Various guest speakers stop by each meeting to offer their expert advice.

Cost: Free.

Information/registration: 602-725-3246.

VALLEY PROFESSIONALS BUSINESS NETWORKING GROUP

When: 7:25-8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Where: Coco’s Bakery Restaurant, 4514 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix.

Agenda: At each meeting, a member gives a short presentation on his or her business or service. Guests also have the opportunity to give a one-minute commercial to promote their business. Membership is limited to one person per field or profession. Contact the group first to ensure there is no duplication of a business or service and to confirm meeting location.

Cost: Free for first breakfast and meeting, $12 for second and third meeting, $120 dues per quarter when you join.

Agenda: Neglecting to identify or protect your intellectual property (IP) when first starting your business is a common reason many startups fail. IP needs to be identified and protected early on, and Mary Juetten, founder of traklight.com, will discuss the most effective way to go about this.

Agenda: The group is a member organization of Toastmasters International, which seeks to help members develop strong communication and leadership skills through practice speeches, meeting assignments and evaluating the speeches of others.

Agenda: A six-month group-coaching breakfast for female business owners. Topics include how to create a mini business plan, how to maximize website results, how to brand a business to stand out from the crowd, and how to create a work-life balance.

Agenda: Meets the third Thursday of each month. Free for the first meeting, with a choice of being an active or passive member.

Cost: $25 per month.

Information/registration: 480-922-0290.

AMERICAN SUBCONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA JOINT MEETING

When: 11:45 a.m. March 20.

Where: Doubletree Guest Suites, 320 N. 44th St., Phoenix.

Agenda: Alan Landes, president, Associated General Contractors of America and president and COO of Herzog Contracting Corp., will address the current challenges facing the industry and the many steps the association is taking to help contracors succeed in an ever-evolving marketplace.

Cost: General admission $45; member admission $35.

Information/registration: www.asa-az.org or 602-274-89789.

EDUCATION AND BUSINESS LUNCHEON FEATURING MICHAEL M. CROW, PRESIDENT OF ASU

Agenda: ASU president Michael Crow will address the importance of career readiness and share the university’s engagement and cooperation with education, business and government partners to prepare Arizona’s students for employment in the global economy.

Agenda: Journalists will learn techniques for digging — with an eye for fraud — into U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings and other disclosures. Instead of scouring aimlessly through hundreds of pages of corporate documents, reporters will gain an understanding of what key financial information is available, where to look for trouble spots and how to recognize when crucial details are missing.

Agenda: This communication and leadership group meets Monday nights. Gain skills and confidence to express yourself in any situation, whether you are a professional, student, stay-at-home parent or retiree. Call Mike Dicerbo for more information. Guests are welcome.

Agenda: Grow your business through word-of-mouth referrals in a group of non-competing businesses that meets each week to refer business to one another.

Cost: Call.

Sponsor: Business Network International.

Info/registration: 480-802-4077.

EAST VALLEY BUSINESS REFERRAL GROUP

When: 7-8:15 a.m. Tuesdays.

Where: Denny’s Restaurant, 1368 N. Cooper Road, Gilbert.

Agenda: Business-referral networking.

Cost: Call.

Info/registration: Everett Cook, 602-320-5229.

GILBERT TOASTMASTERS CLUB

When: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Where: Greenfield Junior High, 101 S. Greenfield Road, Gilbert.

Agenda: To provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn fosters self-confidence and personal growth.

Cost: Call.

Sponsor: Toastmasters International.

Info/registration: 480-227-5157, gilberttm.com.

XCEL COMMUNICATORS TOASTMASTERS CLUB

When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Where: Intel Building, C5-C6 Lobby, 5000 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler.

Agenda: Helping people in their public-speaking and leadership skills.

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